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Sleep Masks

Block light for better sleep

I used to be that person who'd toss and turn all night because even the tiniest sliver of light from my neighbor's porch would keep me awake. Street lamps, digital clocks, that annoying LED on my phone charger – everything felt like a spotlight aimed directly at my eyelids. After spending nearly $150 on various sleep masks that either fell off, pressed uncomfortably against my eyes, or barely blocked any light, I finally decided to test them properly. What I discovered completely changed how I think about what makes a good sleep mask.

Here's the thing most people get wrong: they assume all sleep masks work the same way. I certainly did. The biggest mistake I made initially was focusing on how they looked rather than how they actually performed. Marketing photos show these perfectly fitted masks on models, but real life is messier. That $35 silk mask everyone raves about? It shifted constantly and left gaps around my nose. The memory foam one that promised "total blackout"? I could still see light bleeding in from the sides after just moving slightly in my sleep.

Out of twelve masks I tested over four months, seven had the same fatal flaw – they relied on tight elastic to stay in place, which either gave me headaches or loosened up after a few weeks of use. Three others had eye cups that pressed against my lashes, which was surprisingly annoying when you're trying to fall asleep.

What actually separates the winners from the junk isn't what I expected. The best sleep masks I tested had contoured designs that created space around your eyes – no pressure on the lids or lashes. The material matters way more than I thought too. Cotton sounds nice, but it doesn't block light as effectively as synthetic blends designed specifically for light blocking. I was shocked to find that some of the most expensive masks performed worse than $15 options.

The sweet spot seems to be around $20-30 for masks that actually deliver on their promises. Adjustable straps beat elastic bands every time, and wider straps distribute pressure better than thin ones. Weight doesn't indicate quality – some of the heaviest masks I tested were the most uncomfortable.

I tested these masks in different scenarios: afternoon naps with sunlight streaming in, hotel rooms with terrible blackout curtains, and my own bedroom with various light sources. I tracked how well I slept using my fitness tracker and noted any discomfort or shifting during the night. Some masks that seemed perfect for twenty minutes became unbearable after several hours.

I've narrowed down the testing to the ones that actually work, so you don't have to waste money like I did figuring this out the hard way.

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